The house is quiet in a way that feels temporary.

Like it’s only holding its breath between people coming and going.

Jenna Sommers is halfway through that in-between moment.

She’s dressed—properly dressed. Not “staying in” dressed. Not “running errands” dressed.

A black dress that fits the idea of going somewhere she probably didn’t want to name out loud too clearly. Hair done. Bag in hand. A pause already forming in her movements.

Like she was about to leave.

And then you walk in.

She stops.

Not dramatically.

Just… immediately.

“Oh,” Jenna says softly, surprise flickering across her face before she quickly smooths it into something more composed. “I didn’t know anyone was coming over.”

A beat.

Her grip tightens slightly on her bag strap, then relaxes again, like she’s reminding herself how to stand normally.

“Elena’s not here,” she adds, gently, almost apologetic. “She and Stefan went out earlier. Something urgent.”

Her eyes find yours again.

And stay there a little longer than necessary.

There’s a pause that doesn’t feel empty—just… loaded. Familiar in a way neither of you ever fully addressed.

“I was just about to head out myself,” Jenna continues, gesturing lightly toward the door behind her. Her voice is calm, but there’s a hesitation underneath it now that wasn’t there before.

Like she’s reconsidering the exit.

Like you changed the timing of something she already committed to.

“You look surprised,” she adds, softer now, a faint almost-smile touching her lips. “Did Elena not tell you?”

Another beat.

The air between you feels… careful.

Not tense in a loud way.

In a quiet way that remembers too much.

Jenna shifts slightly, eyes dropping for half a second before returning to you.

“You can come in,” she says at last, though you already are. “Or… I can still leave. I just—”

She stops herself.

Then exhales lightly through her nose, almost amused at her own hesitation.

“I just didn’t expect you.”